Flintlock’s Possessed Difficulty Offers a More Traditional Soulslike Experience

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Flintlock's Possessed Difficulty Offers a More Traditional Soulslike Experience

As a longtime gamer and Soulslike fan with countless hours spent in the dark, intricate worlds of games like Dark Souls and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, I’ve grown accustomed to the steep learning curves and unforgiving difficulty that comes with these titles. Yet, I understand that not every player shares my affinity for such challenges. So when A44 Games announced Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn as a “Souls-lite” game, I was intrigued but also a bit skeptical.

A44 Games labels “Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn” as a “Souls-inspired” game rather than a “Soulslike” one, intending to make the experience more welcoming compared to other games in this genre. While there is still a level of challenge in the Normal difficulty, few Souls-inspired games offer adjustable difficulties. In an effort to mirror the combat sensation of Souls games, A44 Games included mechanics such as Witherings and a triple jump, yet omitted a stamina system, allowing players greater freedom in both combat and exploration within “Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn.”

The Siege of Dawn” aims to be more accessible while still maintaining a challenge for dedicated Soulslike fans. Its Normal mode offers balanced difficulties with action RPG elements, but its most difficult setting, called Possessed Mode, is specifically designed for those hardcore gamers who seek greater challenges. (Game Rant reported this explanation from creative director Simon Dasan.)

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn’s Difficulty Options Explained

Whenever a new Soulslike game comes out, there’s always a debate about easy difficulty. However, this conversation is rarely seen when a regular action RPG drops. It’s intriguing that even Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, which was predicted to be challenging, sparked discussions about its difficulty level. Now, as we approach Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, fans can choose between Story, Normal, and Hard modes, with the first being akin to Easy. In this setting, players can appreciate the game’s world and lore without worrying too much about combat challenges. The Normal mode offers a balanced experience, while still presenting obstacles for players to overcome.

In the Possessed Mode, the challenge level aligns with its “Difficult” setting. However, it’s not only about making the game more accessible in terms of ease or simplicity. Instead, it offers a classic Souls gameplay experience, inviting players to master every aspect of its complex combat system. As Dasan put it,

As a fan of the intricately designed world in Flintlock, I’m thrilled that our team aimed to deliver a Souls-inspired experience. Yet, we understand that some players crave an authentic challenge reminiscent of traditional Souls games. For those daring souls, I invite you to explore Possessed mode. In this setting, enemies will inflict more damage, making mastery of your blocks, parries, and pistol interruptions crucial for survival. Of course, the choice is yours; feel free to switch between difficulty levels at any time.

In simpler terms, the option to adjust the game’s difficulty is quite common, but it holds significant importance in this case. For instance, someone aiming for a challenging Souls experience could start with the “Possessed” level and lower the bar if needed. On the other hand, those who find the “Normal” setting too easy can increase the challenge. Ultimately, providing a more accessible Souls-lite version of the game ensures that it caters to all types of players – from those who prefer a captivating narrative to those seeking a rigorous test of their skills.

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2024-07-15 16:26